Paul Davies: I'm pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate this afternoon and I'm grateful to Luke Fletcher for leading the debate. I'm pleased to join Members in all parts of the Chamber calling on the Welsh Government to help to support people living with dementia more effectively. At the moment, it's estimated that some 1,300 people are living with dementia in Preseli Pembrokeshire,...
Paul Davies: Minister, last week I challenged the First Minister on ambulance services in Pembrokeshire, and he accused me of peddling unsubstantiated rumours, which is simply not true. Because the representations that I've received on this matter are from front-line emergency service workers in Pembrokeshire who are very concerned at proposals to reduce local ambulance cover and the impact that the...
Paul Davies: Well, yes, we do need to see and hear more from you, Minister, and see what your strategy is going forward, as we emerge from this pandemic. Now, Minster, the United Kingdom Prosperity Index 2021 report says that some areas of the UK 'are experiencing especially significant challenges in productivity, competitiveness and dynamism', and, unfortunately, Wales is one of those areas. 'These...
Paul Davies: But, Minister, as we emerge from the pandemic, the Welsh Government must now publish its strategy for supporting businesses. The programme for government claims to support Welsh businesses to create new jobs, find new export markets and invest in the sustainable green industries of tomorrow. But, Minister, there's been very little evidence of any of this activity taking place, and we're yet...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, after a year and a half, as you know, the coronavirus job retention scheme is now coming to an end. Now, the furlough scheme has been an enormous support to thousands of businesses and people across Wales throughout the pandemic, and as that scheme now comes to an end, there will be some very serious challenges for some businesses and employers. Of course, the Welsh...
Paul Davies: I'm grateful for that response. You mentioned Pembrokeshire County Council. Obviously, its regeneration strategy for 2020-30 makes it very clear that the local economy is heavily dependent on a few sectors, such as tourism. But despite large visitor numbers, the main towns don't have a vibrant retail or leisure offer and in economic terms are still declining. Indeed, the strategy also states...
Paul Davies: 1. What are the Welsh Government's economic priorities for Preseli Pembrokeshire for the next 12 months? OQ56902
Paul Davies: 1. Will the Minister make a statement on the delivery of health services in the Hywel Dda University Health Board area? OQ56904
Paul Davies: Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It may surprise the Minister that I start off on a note of agreement with him regarding the lack of pace in responding to bids that have been submitted to the community renewal fund. We need to see much more progress. Now, today's statement calls for further information and detail from the UK Government, and, in fairness, if the funds are to be delivered effectively...
Paul Davies: I'm still not clear from your answer, First Minister, whether you will be bringing forward a plan to deal with winter pressures, so perhaps you'd like to respond after I sit down. The reality is that, after 22 years of Welsh Labour rule, the Government has run out of ideas on how to manage the NHS, has run out of ideas on how to drive innovation and boost the economy, and has run out of ideas...
Paul Davies: Well, clearly, the MP for Cynon Valley disagrees with you, First Minister, and it's not hard to see how your colleague has reached the conclusion that you have no radical or progressive policies. Last week, people in Wales continued to wait for NHS treatments in a week when the worst-ever waiting performances were recorded by Welsh hospital A&E units. With rising waiting times across the...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd. First Minister, on the BBC Sunday Politics show over the weekend, the MP for Cynon Valley, Beth Winter, said there was a lack of radical progressive policies in the Labour Party. Do you agree with her?
Paul Davies: First Minister, in 2014, in your capacity as the then health Minister, you closed the special care baby unit at Withybush General Hospital, and you dismissed calls at that time that it could impact the sustainability of other services. And yet, you may have seen reports that paediatric emergency assessments will now be removed from Withybush hospital until at least next year. That means...
Paul Davies: 2. Will the First Minister make a statement on emergency services in Pembrokeshire? OQ56863
Paul Davies: The first part of my legislative proposal is for the Welsh Government, via local authorities, to undertake a nationwide, up-to-date inventory of war memorials in Wales. I know that some work has been done by Cadw on this front via the Cymru'n Cofio Wales Remembers programme, but it's so important that up-to-date data is recorded and regularly monitored to confirm the number and locations of...
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd, and I've agreed that Peter Fox and James Evans may have a minute—
Paul Davies: Diolch, Llywydd, and I've agreed that Peter Fox and James Evans may have a minute of my time in this debate. Today's debate is particularly poignant as it's Battle of Britain Day and we honour the legacy of the brave aircrews who defended Britain against tyranny. Now, the campaign to protect war memorials across Wales has been one that I've been proud to lead for several years now, and whilst...
Paul Davies: Thank you for that response, Minister, and I’m delighted that you enjoyed the Pembrokeshire county show a few weeks ago. Now, as we’ve already heard on the floor of this Chamber today, bovine TB continues to pose a significant threat to farmers in Wales, including farmers in Pembrokeshire and, despite their efforts to clamp down on it through cattle-based measures, it continues to place...
Paul Davies: 8. What is the Welsh Government doing to support farmers in Pembrokeshire? OQ56808
Paul Davies: Trefnydd, I'd like to call for a statement from the Minister for Health and Social Services on the Welsh ambulance service. I understand that the Welsh ambulance service is currently undertaking a pan-Wales roster review, and I've received representations from worried NHS staff about plans for the service in my own area, in Pembrokeshire. The current plans are to reduce the emergency...
